WRHS golfers in the swing of things

Friday

Oct 4, 2013 at 6:00 AMOct 9, 2013 at 12:31 PM

By Jay Gearan, CORRESPONDENT

HOLDEN — With comfortable temperatures and few rainy days, the area's early fall weather has been perfect for golf. And Wachusett Regional High School's talented linksters have taken advantage. The Mountaineers, coached by Nick Guerin, have won eight of their first 12 matches.

"We're playing well," said Guerin. "From the top of the lineup down, everyone has played very solidly."

Competing in Midland League A, the Mountaineers also had a 5-3 league record entering this week of competition.

At the top of the lineup, Wachusett senior captain Nick Wiles and sophomore Owen Quinn have carded excellent early season scores, getting the jump on the opposition in matches, building leads.

"Last year we started out slowly and then caught fire on our way to making the districts," Guerin said. "This year, we've played well from the start."

Guerin added, "This year's team really loves to practice, too. After matches, instead of leaving for home, they will often stay and work on their chipping and putting. They're really committed to improving their games."

Guerin praised the way the officials at Holden Hills Country Club have welcomed the team. "The course is in great shape this fall," he added.

Recently the team enjoyed a terrific road trip, practicing at the PGA Tournament Players Course River Highlands, in Cromwell, Conn.

Also in the starting lineup for most matches are sophomores Addison Blome and Brendan Case, along with seniors Peter Luro and Dan Kenary.

Other golfers on the squad include junior Jeff Sabourin, senior Brian Quinn and sophomore Jon Volfson.

"All eight players have contributed, " Wiles said. "Our scores have been dropping throughout the year, and we've had some big wins. We lost a lot of good players to graduation from last year's team, so it's been nice to see everyone step up this year."

Wiles' low score so far came at Townsend Ridge CC in a match against North Middlesex when he carded an excellent even-par 35. In last week's 10-shot triumph over Holy Name, Quinn fired an even-par 35 at Clearview Country Club.

"We've lost two close matches, one to North Middlesex by three shots and another to Shrewsbury by four," Guerin said.

The Mountaineers began their season with a win over Leominster in early September. A few weeks later they began a successful march, winning seven of 10 including victories over Nashoba, Marlboro, Fitchburg, Algonquin and North Middlesex.